Apparatus for plotting graphs



Sept. 11, 1951 L. BlHALY 2,567,632

APPARATUS FOR PLOTTING GRAPHS Filed Jime 21, 1947 PM Hail Patented Sept. 11, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application June 21, 1947, Serial No. 756,309 In Great Britain June 21, 1946 Y This invention relates to an apparatus for plotting graphs which can be applied to existing forms of calculating and tabulating machines, so that such machines with only small modifications can be used to present calculative data in graphical form.

Calculating and tabulating machines are known in which the figures resulting from the calcula tion are set up and printed by means of a number of type bars (which may have the form of straight bars or circular wheels) disposed side by side and each carrying a number of type digits. These type bars are adjusted by the calculating mechanism to bring the appropriate digits on to the printing line and the bars are then moved towards the paper to print the required figure.

According to the present invention the ineans used in such machines to adjust the type bars transversely of the printing line and thus determine which digits shall be printed are employed to determine the position along the printing line of a type element, from which a mark is then printed on to the paper by the existing printing means. In the preferred arrangement one adjusting member serves to adjust transversely of the printing line a type member carrying a number of type elements which are spaced along a diagonal line; a second adjusting member moving parallel to the first serves to adjust the type member along the printing line. The position along the printing line of the mark printed on to the paper is determined to one order of magnitude by the setting of the first adjusting member (which determines which of the type elements lies on the printing line) and to another order of magnitude by the setting of the second adjusting member.

By way of example there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings one particular embodiment of the invention as applied to the well known Hollerith tabulating machine. Such a machine is particularly well suited to the purposes of the present invention owing to its large printing capacity and high speed. In these drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation, Figure 2 a similar elevation partly in section, Figure 3 a plan and Figure 4 a sectional end elevation of the graph plotting apparatus. In the several figures the apparatus is shown set to plot points having different ordinates. In Figur l, 11:90; in Figures 2 and 3, y=09 and in Figure 4, 1/ has some value from 50 to 59.

In applying the apparatus illustrated to an existing tabulating machine the upper, typecarrying parts of two of the vertically adjustable 6 Claims. (Cl. 235-1) type bars are removed and a first supporting member or horizontal platform 22 is carried upon the lower parts 2 of these two type bars thus forming setting means for the first member 22. The tabulator is so wired that the setting means or bars 2 operate together and are adjusted as though to print the tens digit of the number representing the ordinate of the point to be plotted. In a similar manner, the upper parts of two other type or graph bars I are replaced by a second member or wedge-shaped .displacer plate 2| and the tabulator is wired so that the setting means or bars I operate together and are adjusted as though to print the units digit of the number representing the ordinate of the point to be plotted. The type bars intermediate those shown are removed altogether, but the remaining type bars of the machine are left unaltered and can be used in the normal Way.

Fixed in the platform 22 is a horizontal counterslide rod 4 which is embraced by the bush portion 3| of a slide member 3. Extending upwardly from the bush 3! at an angle of to the rod 4 is a pair of spaced apart, parallel plates 32. Extending slidably through aligned holes in the plates 32 are ten printing or indication creating elements or pins 8, spaced equally apart along the length of the plates, each pin being urged towards the front of the machine by a return spring 9 surrounding the pin and accommodated between the plates 32. Near the upper end of the arm of the sliding member 3 formed by the plates 32, an axle pin extending between the plates carries a roller 1. This roller works on a roller track 23 formed on the platform 22 and extending parallel to the counterslide rod 4. It will be seen that the slide member 3 Will take part in any vertical movement of the platform 22, but it can be adjusted horizontally relative to the platform by movement along the guide formed by the rod 4 and bush 3| and by the roller 1 and roller track 23. A coil compression spring 5 surrounding the rod 4 urges the slide member towards the left hand end of the guide.

The slide member 3 also comprises an arm 33 which extends vertically upwards from the bush 3| in the plane of the front plate 32, with which it is integral. The left hand side edge forming a first cam surface of this arm 33 is given an inclination to the vertical of one part in eleven. A similar inclination is given to the right hand 'edge forming a second cam surface of the displacer plate 2| which bears against the inclined edge of the arm 33, so that vertical movement of the graph bar I connected to the plate 2|- will displace the slide member 3 horizontally along its guide upon the platform 22 through a distance equal to one-eleventh of the movement of the plate 2|. A pin 6 secured to the platform 22 and extending through the gap between the two bars I takes the reaction of the return spring and prevents lateral displacement of the plate 2| relative to the platform 22- The separate hammers for the individual type bars of the existingmachine are replaced by a single hammer bar M which extends between and is operated by two of the existing hammer arms IS. The length of this hammer bar 14 is such that, when the hammer is operated to effect printing, it will strike the front end of that one of the printing pins which has been adjusted to lie on the printing line, no matter to what position the slide member 3 has been adjusted by the movement of the setting bars I and 2. Printing is effected in the usual way, the front end of the pin 8 which is struck by the hammer striking through the inked ribbon I3 on to the paper Ii which is supported on the platen roller [2 of the machine. The level of the printing line is indicated in Figures 1. and 2 by the line A-B.

The vertical interval between adjacent pins 8 is made equal to the distance through which the platform member is adjusted to correspond with successive digits. that is the distance between successive type digits on the normal type bars. In the particular machine considered this distance is /64 of an inch. The horizontal interval between adjacent pins 8, that is the interval parallel to the printing line of the machine and to the y-axis of the graph, is made equal to eleven y-units, that is eleven units of the scale on which the ordinates of the graph are to be plotted. In the apparatus illustrated the y-unit is taken as /t4 of an inch, so that the horizontal intervals between the pins 8 are equal to the vertical interf'vals between them and the pins lie on a line inclined at 45 to the horizontal and vertical. The

y-unit may be given a different value, if desired,

by changing the horizontal spacing between the printing pins and correspondingly altering the slope of the edges of the displacer 2| and of the arm 33 of the slide member. This angle of slope is such that a movement of the displacer through the distance corresponding to successive digits (/64 inch in the machine in question) effects a transverse movement of the slide through one yunit, that is one eleventh of the horizontal interval between adjacent printing pins.

It will be seen that if the number determined by' the calculating mechanism is of the form 100m+11n, so that its tens and units digits are equal, the platform 22 and displacer 21 will be adjusted vertically by the setting bars 2 and l respectively through equal distances from their zero positions and the slide 3 will not be displaced relative to the platform. The printing pins will accordingly remain at intervals of eleven y-units to the right of the zero position and the (n+1) th equal, the relative movement between the displacer and the platform will cause the slide to move relative to the platform and the printing pin which lies on the printing line will be appropriately positioned. When the printing pins on the slide have been positioned in the above man- 4 her printing on to the paper is effected by the usual mechanism.

When no printing is to take place, the plat. form member is adjusted so that all the printing pins are advanced beyond the printing line. A bufier strip II] to absorb the impluse of the printing hammer in such cases is provided .below the level of the zero pin and extending across the platform.

The method of operating a tabulating machine provided with graph plotting apparatus in accerdance with the invention will clearly vary to some extent with the nature of the particular case and the existing capabilities of the machine, but the following simple example illustrates how the apparatus may be used. Let it be assumed that there are available punched record cards, each bearing the co-ordinates of one of the points to be plotted or values from which the co-ordinates can be calculated by the machine, and that the abscissae of the points to be plotted form a continuous arithmetical series, while the ordinates are expressed as whole numbers of. three digits. The cards are sorted into the order of their X-values and run through the machine in that order, the paper being advanced transversely of the printing line (that is parallel to the :c-axis of the graph) after each card has been dealt with. The plotting device (described above) can adjust the position along the printing line (that is parallel to the y-axis) of the type element from which a mark is printed on to the paper, so that it lies any number from 0 to .99 of y-units to the right of a zero position. When the cards are first run through the machine only those cards are printed from which have y-values ranging from 000 to 099. The paperis then'returned to the position corresponding to :r0 and shifted to the left through a'distance equal'to y-units. The cards are then again run through the machine and those with y'-values from 100 to 199 are printed from. These operations are repeated as often as is necessary to deal with the highest y-values present.

Many modifications are possibl in the manner of operating the plotting apparatus of the invention. For example, the tabulating machine may be so wired that each card whose x-value is a multiple of ten causes the machine-to print two marks, one in the position corresponding to the y-value of the card and the other in the zero position. The lines of additional marks thus printed on to the paper constitute a graticul which facilitates the reading of the completed graph. Again, it is not necessary that the co-ordinates of each point to be plotted should be carried by a single card. There may be several cards for each value of x, the ordinate of the point to be plotted being, for example, the sum of the y-values carried by the cards. In such a case it, is only necessary to wire the sensing, calculating and printing elements of the tabulator to appropriate and well-known manner. Othermodifications in the manner of using the apparatus of theinvention will readily occur to those skilled in the operation of tabulating machines of the kind referred to.

The invention is not, of course, limited to the particular construction of graph plotting apparatus described and illustrated. For example, instead of providing the displacer with a wedge portion to effect lateral movement of the slide, the same result can be obtained by providing a longitudinal rack on the displacer which meshes with a pinion fast upon a shaft journalled in the platform and lying parallel to the printing line; a thread out upon this shaft Works in a nut carried by the slide and effects lateral displacement of the latter when the displacer moves relative to the platform. Many other modifications are also possible.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for producing indications on an indicating surface along a straight printing line comprising in combination, a slide member; a plurality of indication creating elements carried by said slide member and spaced apart from each other, said elements being arranged at an acute angle to the direction of said straight printing line} first setting means for effecting motion of said slide member together with said indication creating elements normal to the direction of said straight printing line; second setting means for effecting motion of said slide member together with said indication creating elements in direction of said straight printing line; and means for moving that indication creating member which is located in the region of said straight printing line into contact with said indicating surface for producing the desired indication thereon.

2. In a machine for producing indications on a surface along a straight printing line comprising in combination, a supporting member; a slide member carried by said supporting member and movable in a direction parallel to the printing line; a plurality of indication creating elements carried by said slide member and spaced apart from each other, said elements being arranged at an acute angle to the direction of the printing line; first setting means for effecting motion of said supporting member together With said slide member and indication creating elements normal to the direction of said printing line; second setting means for effecting motion of said slide member together with said indication creating elements in direction of said printing line; and means for moving that indication creating member which is located in the region of said printing line with respect to said slide member for producing the desired indication.

3. In amachine for producing indications on a surface along a straight printing line, in combination, a first member arranged for motion normal to the printing line; a slide member carried b said first member and movable at right angles to the direction of motion of said first member; a plurality of printing elements carried by said slide member and spaced apart by equal distances at an acute angle to the direction of motion of said first member; first setting means for effecting a motion of said first member so as to bring any one of said printing elements onto the printing line; a second member disposed side by side with said first member for motion in direction parallel to the direction of motion of said first member; second setting means for effecting motion of said second member; interengaging means carried by said second member and said slide member for effecting lateral movement of said slide member in response to the motion of said second member whereby said printing element broughtonto the printing line is moved along the printing line; and means for printing from said printing elements onto the printing line.

4. In a machine for producing indications on a surface along a straight printing line, in combination, a first member arranged for motion normal to the printing line; guidemeans extending at right angles to the direction of motion of said first member; a slide member arranged for motion along said guide means; an arm on said slide member extending obliquely to said guide means; a plurality of printing elements carried by said arm and spaced apart by equal distances longitudinally thereof; first setting means for effecting a motion of said first member so as to bring any one of said printing elements onto the printing line; a second member disposed side by side with said first member for motion in direction parallel to the direction of motion of said first member; second setting means for effecting motion of said second member; interengaging means carried by said second member and said slide member for effecting lateral movement of said slide member in response to the motion of said second member whereby said printing element brought onto the printing line is moved along the printing line; and means for printing from said printing elements onto the printing line.

5. In a machine for producing indications on a surface along a straight printing line, in combination, a first member arranged for motion normal to the printing line; guide means extending at right angles to the direction of motion of said first member; a slide member arranged for motion along said guide means; a first arm on said slide member extending obliquel to said guide means; a plurality of printing elements carried by said first arm and spaced apart by equal distances longitudinally thereof; first F setting means for effecting a motion of said first member so as to bring any one of said printing elements onto the printing line; a second member disposed side by side with said first member for motion in direction parallel to the direction of motion of said first member; a second arm on said slide member having a first cam surface inclined at a small angle to the direction of motion of said first member; a wedge member carried by said second member and having a second cam surface parallel to said first cam surface; second setting means for effecting motion of said second member; interengaging means carried by said second member and said slide member for effecting lateral movement of said slide member in response to the motion of said second member whereby said printing element brought onto the printing line is moved along the printing line; and means for printing from said printing elements onto the printing line.

6. In a machine for producing indications on a surface along a straight printing line, in combination, a first member arranged for motion normal to the printing line; guide means extending at right angles to the direction of motion of said first member; a slide member arranged for motion along said guide means; a first arm on said slide member extending obliquely to said guide means; a plurality of printing elements carried by said first arm and spaced apart by equal distances longitudinally thereof; first setting means for effecting a motion of said first member so as to bring any one of said printing elements onto the printing line; a second member disposed side by side with said first member for motion in direction parallel to the direction of motion of said first member; a second arm on said slide member having a first cam surface inclined at a small angle to the wedge member carried by said second member and havinga second cam suface parallel to said first cam surface; resilient means acting on said slide member to hold said cam surfaces in engagement with one another; second setting 5 means for effecting motion of said second member; interengaging means, carried by said second member and said slide member for effecting lateral movement of said slide member in response to the motion of said second member 10 LAJ OS BIHALY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,187,495 Bryce June 20, 1916 2,080,065 Ross et a1. May 11, 1937 2,165,278 Kolm July 11, 1939 2,278,409 Armbruster Apr. 7, 1942 2,437,243 Curtis Mar. 9, 1948 2,438,522 Smith Mar. 30, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 534,442 France Jan. 5, 1922 

